What is the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
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Good question! Because, from the first day to the last it’s a real adventure. Every section gives you something different - that's the fun of it!
You’ll enjoy loads of new experiences, discover talents you never thought you had, challenge yourself and meet loads of people just like you. Plus you’ll do things you love and get a kick out of. It’s a real buzz!
Then there’s all the other stuff…
…achieving an Award will give you skills, confidence and a view on life that everyone is looking for, from employers to colleges and universities.
...you're getting recognised for doing things you want to do (and may even be doing already).
...you’ll make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories to last you a lifetime.
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The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme is an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development activities for young people aged 14-25. Taking part is not an easy option but it will almost certainly provide students with vivid memories which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Major employers highlight the importance of the Duke of Edinburgh's award in the selection process as it shows that candidates have the ability to work well in a team as well as the ability to plan and carry out individual activities.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award in school
The scheme provides opportunities for participation at three different levels and this year we will be offering the Bronze Award to students in Year 9 and the Silver Award to students in Year 10. Students will be enrolled during the Autumn term and then begin training towards their expeditions. During this term, both parents and students will be invited to attend an introduction to the scheme in the main hall.
VOLUNTEERING
Our students have helped those less fortunate than themselves by giving their time to act as helpers for Riding for the Disabled, Link Leisure, which supports local people with learning difficulties, hospice charity shops, church youth groups, Rainbows and the Beaver Scouts. They have also helped in the community by caring for disabled children, visiting the elderly, joining the Horsell Common Preservation Society and joining the St John's Ambulance Service. Students can also do their volunteering in school by giving time to mentor a younger student through our Peer Mentoring scheme and by helping with after school clubs.
EXPEDITION
Training sessions for the expeditions start in the Spring Term and continue every week through the Spring and Summer terms, culminating in a Practice and an Assessed Expedition for both the Bronze and Silver Awards. Planning sessions for the expeditions take place in the spring and summer terms. Students learn the basic skills of navigation, camp craft and health and safety and also come to terms with the equipment they will need to use to bring the expedition to fruition. The chosen venues for the expeditions are carefully matched to the capabilities of the candidates with the Practice Expedition for the Bronze Award taking place in the Surrey Hills and the Assessed Expedition of the Wiltshire / Dorset borders. The practice expedition for the Silver Award takes place in the New Forest and Assessed Expedition on the South Downs.
SKILLS
Skills are usually the non-physical hobbies. Some of the activities chosen for study by our students in recent years include art, boat mechanics, creative writing, book appreciation, rifle shooting, cookery, dress making, Chinese, scrabble club, keeping pets, playing a musical instrument, and helping with the technical theatre. Choices can be tailored to suit the interests of the individual.
PHYSICAL
Students have either developed an interest in a new sport or been given extra recognition for one they already take part in. These sports have included climbing, badminton, rugby, dance, golf, archery, judo, netball, riding, sailing, swimming and yoga. There are many opportunities to get involved with the broad range of extracurricular activities in school or at local clubs.
All sections of the Award are monitored online using the edofe website. Students submit their activity, which must be approved by Miss Hunter, and then upload evidence, including evidence from their assessor/supervisor. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website at: http://www.dofe.org/ is a mine of related information.
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